IL Indoor

Steve Dietrich, pictured here with the Edmonton Rush, has hung 'em up in the NLL. (Matt J. Wiater)

While one half of last year’s almost Champion’s Cup winning goalie tandem in Toronto re-signed under much speculation, that of course Rock starter Bob Watson last week, Insider confirmed with Steve Dietrich over the weekend that the no doubt future National Lacrosse League Hall of Famer would be retiring from the pro game, Dietrich also confirming that he has accepted the Rock’s goalie coach position for the 2011 season.

Dietrich, the only goaltender to ever win the league’s MVP Award, was picked up by Toronto at the 2009 trade deadline via the Edmonton Rush, playing fairly substantial minutes for the Rock last year behind Watson, the two vet backstops leading to the Rock to an NLL final the franchise hadn’t seen since 2005.

On top of Watson recently re-signing, the Rock have also invited free agent goalies Gee Nash, Pat Campbell and Matt Flindell, 2010 entry draft selection and Insider All-Canadian Second Team selection Zack Boychuk also competing at the team’s still ongoing Free Agent and Rookie camp.

Last year was Dietrich’s 18th season in the NLL, coming into the league with the Baltimore Thunder in 1992, winning that previously mentioned MVP Award after an outstanding year with the Buffalo Bandits just five shorts years ago. The man more affectionately known as “Chugger” has suited up for the Thunder, Detroit Turbos, Rochester Knighthawks, Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Rush, and then Rock, where he will remain in his new bench role.

Interestingly enough, another former Rock player, Glenn Clark, who would also later coach the franchise for two seasons (and a bit), was also named a goaltender coach in recent weeks, Clark added to Johnny Mouradian’s Team Canada staff as the country’s goalie boss for the 2011 WILC.

And while this will be Dietrich’s first season off NLL rugs for the better part of the past two decades, the former Champion’s Cup winner and playoff MVP has made the move to off-floor management in the MSL in recent seasons, still playing minutes for the Owen Sound Woodsmen (OLA Senior ‘B’), but predominately serving as the K-W Kodiaks GM in the Senior ‘A’ loop.

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PLUS THE LINKS

Swarm coach Mike Lines likes the bite Rory Smith will give his roster this year. (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

This past Friday morning, the Calgary Roughnecks took to the floor with a group of local military troops. “It is truly inspirational the time and effort our Canadian troops give for our freedom and lives. We learnt today that most of the Canadian military personnel are volunteers, so we are eager in any way to give a little back for all they have done for us.” – Andrew McBride (Calgary Roughnecks)… The Edmonton Rush, who lost a heartbreaker to the eventual Champion’s Cup winning Washington Stealth in the West final, took to the floor this past weekend with their first training camp sessions. “Our first regular-season game is January 8th and I want the players to be in prime condition and our concepts fully mastered by the time we face off in Toronto. It is a long journey on the road to the Champion’s Cup – one that starts right now in training camp.” – Derek Keenan (Edmonton Rush)… Like many teams over the past number of seasons, the Minnesota Swarm will be holding much of their training camp at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations, kicking things off this past weekend. Head Coach Mike Lines, who’ll be entering his second season as the team’s bench boss this year, says in regards to the addition of physical defenders Rory Smith and Andrew Suitor, “ I expect us to be a team that won’t get pushed around and I think in return that will give us more space on the floor. Guys that have played against Rory know if you don’t know where he is, you are in trouble. Other teams are going to be that team we were last year.” (Minnesota Swarm)… The Stealth locked up Jeff Zywicki over the weekend, the former first round pick for the franchise an early MVP favourite last year prior to being sidelined for a short stretch due to injury. “Having him back and ready to go for our 2011 Champions Cup defense is a very, very big thing for our organization and we are thrilled to have him in camp.  He was a key reason we were as successful as we were last season and we look forward to great things from him again this season.” – Doug Locker (Washington Stealth)… And check out Mike Accursi talking to News 10 NBC this past weekend during the Rochester Knighthawks’ training camp, the recently brought back former Champion’s Cup winning K’Hawk saying, “We were brothers from other mothers,” in regards to many of his former and now current teammates.

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